The Andrews Labor Government and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) have unveiled a campaign to reduce motorcyclist deaths and injuries as figures show rider fatalities have nearly doubled in 2016.
The campaign is designed to reduce collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles, which account for more than half of rider fatalities. It is part of Victoria’s response to rising motorcyclist fatalities, with 45 riders killed so far this year, up from 25 at the same time last year.
“We can’t accept any deaths on our roads, but to have had 45 riders die already this year is an absolute tragedy,” said Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan. “Riders will come off second best in a collision with another vehicle so it is critical that drivers are always on the lookout for motorcycles, and riders can help by ensuring they are visible to drivers.”
As part of the campaign, a television advertisement depicts the moments after a motorcycle collides with a right-turning vehicle when the driver fails to see the rider. Under the tagline “Driver think rider. Rider think driver”, the campaign encourages riders and drivers to share responsibility for keeping each other safe.
Transport Accident Commission CEO Joe Calafiore added: “We are instinctively good at looking out for things that could hurt us but those instincts aren’t as strong when it comes to looking for things that we could hurt. We are asking every road user – whether you’re on two wheels or four – to do everything possible to look out for each other on the roads.”
